Chapter Two: "Zack... Let's be reborn together."
"Zack... Let's be reborn together," Aeris said. She watched in happiness-- and sadness-- as the guys' faces showed emtion.
Cloud's face drooped horribly.
"Shit," Cloud whispered, and he wasn't being funny.
Zack's face was lit up by a handsome smile. "Really? That's far out."
He held out a hand to her, "Shall we go, my princess?"
Aeris giggled. "We shall, my prince."
She went to take his hand, then didn't. Her eyes were on Cloud.
He was staring at the ground, his face a little flushed.
"Cloud?"
"H, hmmm?" Cloud said, not meeting her eyes.
"I'm so sorry."
"Don't be." Cloud said. "I'll be alright. Go on with the man you love." He raises his head and finally looked at her.
"Come with us," Aeris begged.
"No," Cloud said firmly. Then he asked meekly, "Why did you choose him?"
"If I went with you," Aeris told him softly. "I would be happy, of course. But I would be living a fake life. Everything would not be real. I wouldn't even be real. If I go with Zack, I'll be happy, of course. I'll be real, everything will be real, and I'll... everything would be great."
"I understand," Cloud said, but Aeris could tell he was extremly hurt over the whole matter.
"Cloud?" Aeris asked, wondering if he'd really be OK.
He nodded to her. "When we meet again..." He turned around and began to jog towards his Fantasy relm.
Aeris watched until she could no longer see him before turning back to Zack.
"Shall we go?" Zack asked her.
"Wait," Aeris told him.
"For what?"
Aeris leaned up and kissed him gently. "I've been waiting a long time to do that again... Besides, we might not find each other in our next life."
Zack nodded, and lowered his head to meet hers. He kissed her; it was filled with love. Aeris knew, as she returned his waited kiss, that he loved her, and he always would.
Prehapes even more than Cloud would. Aeris had always felt that Cloud loved Tifa more than herself. But, she could always be wrong.
My fair prince, Aeris thought as she kissed Zack. We will live together. I promise I'll find you again, Zack. Even if it takes my whole new life.
Zack pulled back, "Damn."
"What?"
"I didn't say goodbye to Cloud."
"I'm sure he knows," Aeris said. She pulled away from his arms and raced ahead of him. "Come on, slow poke!! I'll raise you to our new lives!"
She saw Zack grin, she FELT him grin.
"Give up, princess!" Zack commanded. "You know you'll lose!"
Aeris giggled. "Oh yeah? Watch me!"
She ran faster. Zack ran after her into the black void. To her amazement-- the blackness was no longer confusing.
It was promising.
The End.
AN: Thanks for reading!! If you have time, will you please review?